Flyover Park Pillar Murals

This project was about transforming an undesirable, previously unused space into a welcoming one that would complement the design of the Flyover Park. This newly-constructed park connects the Bridgeland neighbourhood to Downtown, in a location which was primarily a transit space.

The murals were painted on the abutment supporting the flyover as well as 3 pillars that support it. I wanted to represent people moving through their city with visual storytelling that highlights Calgary geography, landmarks and architecture. By using simple geometry and suggesting everyday scenes in a semi-abstract way, I’m hoping the observers make up their own interpretation as they pass by the pillars.

The sides of each pillar were especially fun to paint since they would connect the front and back pictures and were painted freestyle. The idea was to reuse some floral elements painted on the abutment as elements that would connect each of the four murals.”

The area under the 4th Avenue flyover (constructed in the 1970’s) has been an area of social disorder and residents mostly avoided this place. Bridgeland resident Ali McMillan set about to change this by reclaiming the area by installing recycled green football turf to cover the dirt, then organizing the Sundown Social community event, complete with music, food trucks, craft booths and the painting of many birdhouses by young and old, followed by installation of planters with trees on which to hang the birdhouses, installation of natural benches and then hiring artist Tanner Hamilton to paint the pillars. Next steps were serious fundraising, with support of the Parks Foundation… and planning – all culminating in the construction of Flyover Park – which is happening over summer 2020. This formerly undesirable area was transformed into a very beautiful and fun place.

This project was about transforming an undesirable, previously unused space into a welcoming one that would complement the design of the Flyover Park. This newly-constructed park connects the Bridgeland neighbourhood to Downtown, in a location which was primarily a transit space.

The murals were painted on the abutment supporting the flyover as well as 3 pillars that support it. I wanted to represent people moving through their city with visual storytelling that highlights Calgary geography, landmarks and architecture. By using simple geometry and suggesting everyday scenes in a semi-abstract way, I’m hoping the observers make up their own interpretation as they pass by the pillars.

The sides of each pillar were especially fun to paint since they would connect the front and back pictures and were painted freestyle. The idea was to reuse some floral elements painted on the abutment as elements that would connect each of the four murals.”

The area under the 4th Avenue flyover (constructed in the 1970’s) has been an area of social disorder and residents mostly avoided this place. Bridgeland resident Ali McMillan set about to change this by reclaiming the area by installing recycled green football turf to cover the dirt, then organizing the Sundown Social community event, complete with music, food trucks, craft booths and the painting of many birdhouses by young and old, followed by installation of planters with trees on which to hang the birdhouses, installation of natural benches and then hiring artist Tanner Hamilton to paint the pillars. Next steps were serious fundraising, with support of the Parks Foundation… and planning – all culminating in the construction of Flyover Park – which is happening over summer 2020. This formerly undesirable area was transformed into a very beautiful and fun place.